Mauritius has installed various mechanisms to enable its migrant workers to ably compete in international labour markets. Because of these platforms, Mauritian diaspora has gained much success in various fields and country-locations overseas.
The sound educational system of Mauritius leads those structures supporting the country’s professionals and skilled workers migrating to work overseas. It helps a lot for them that Mauritius provides free education from pre-primary to tertiary level. Notably, schooling in the country is compulsory up to age 16. The government has also introduced free transport for all students.
All told, there are about 11 public and 50 private academic institutions providing tertiary-level programmes in Mauritius. Mostly, they offer courses in niche areas like Law, Information Technology, Accountancy, Management, and Finance.
The University of Mauritius is amongst the pillars of tertiary education for many members of the Mauritian diaspora.
The robust educational system enabling Mauritius to supply high-quality labour to overseas employers extends to vocational training. The government has an agency—the Mauritius Institute of Training and Development (MITD)—solely dedicated for vocational training in the country.
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Overseas pacts that help
Significantly, the MITD is spearheading government efforts to tailor-fit vocational training of young Mauritians to what employers abroad need. The agency’s vocational skill-building tie-up with the Monash University (Canada) is one good example of this strategy. This link has boosted the chances of Mauritian migrant workers to obtain a successful placement with Canadian employers.
Mauritius was likewise able to send 300 local trade-skilled workers to work for Canadian food companies through a bilateral agreement with the government of Canada. Under this pact, spouses can join the migrants and also seek employment, thereby further adding to the Mauritian diaspora in Canada.
Aside from Canada, Mauritius also has bilateral agreements with France and Italy for the recruitment of its migrant workers. These pacts were established under the Circular Migration Programme that Mauritius initiated through the UN-related agency, International Organisation for Migration.
Rosy outlook upon repatriation
As its name suggests, the circular migration strategy of Mauritius also revolves around the repatriation of its overseas workers and migrants. The country seeks to accomplish these through several ways, one of which involves the National Empowerment Foundation (NEF).
A public-private partnership, the NEF not only helps Mauritian migrant workers to prepare for their employment overseas. Besides facilitating pre-departure orientation courses and training programmes, the NEF also provides financial literacy courses. This agency likewise orients migrant workers of Mauritius on potential business opportunities upon their return to the country.
The Economic Development Board (EDB) of Mauritius offers even more to the country’s migrants on a homecoming. The EDB administers a Mauritian Diaspora Scheme offering returning migrants the potential of continued successes after their fruitful jaunt overseas.
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